AV Racks. What difference does it make?

personally, I was taken aback by twl's tone. The last thing we need in this over-hyped hobby is people who use the poor logic of twl. Things are better because someone else says so? HUH? I have many years in this hobby, and don't expect anyone to defer to my opinion because of it. Somehow we've gotten to the point that buying expensive equipment justifies itself, how'd that happen? I am not some techno-dweeb who rejects anything that isn't proven by double-blind tests, nor am I likely to believe that just because some writer for stereophile says it, it's therefore true. One of the best articles I ever read in stereophile was a few years back, and related to the incremental improvements in our hobby. It was an honest, backward-looking piece about how all those "must have" tweaks and upgrades haven't moved us as far forward as we all think. To read all the hype, you'd think that anything made over three years ago is garbage. Luckily for me, I have the chance to evaluate my system against a baseline (so to speak) quite often. I have a very close friend who bought a complete system identical to mine about seven years ago. Now my friend is one of those lucky types who can be happy with "very good" and not yearn for "great", I on the other hand, can't go a month without an upgrade, however minor. In the intervening seven years, my buddy has only tried the few upgrades I recommeded, and rejected most of them as too minor to merit the cost. To get down to brass tacks here, the only thing that our systems still have in common are the loudspeakers, and yet, depending on material, his system can still sound as good or better than mine. How does this relate to this discussion? My basic philosophy on audio has developed into this: most changes we all make are based on creating a different result, not necessarily a better one. Racks, spikes, cables, whatever the topic, in most cases you are creating a difference that may be an improvement, or not. The very fact that so much good, high-priced gear sells here every day pretty much proves this point. Slappy, if you can hear a difference, and be sure that you prefer it to your previous set-up, keep it and don't look back or listen to any pompous, sneering blather from others. Your ears, your system, your enjoyment.

Exactly, Tplavas. Slappy, if YOU can hear the improvement, it was worth it.

I've tried various iso-tweaks with varying results. I don't pretend to know how all these different cones and platforms, and isolation or vibration draining theories work, but in many instances I have been able to hear noticable differences in the way claimed.

A little tidbit from my days at the IMB Academy. "Absorb What's useful and reject What's useless" - Bruce Lee.

Keep what sounds good, and put up for sale on Audiogon the stuff that doesn't. Heheh.

Personally, I read TWL's posting as directed toward Eldartford only. Not to the originator of this thread nor anybody else. And it also appeared to me that TWL responded in a certain way because of that individual's use of the word rediculous in describing what I thought was directed toward the owners of certain performance-oriented racks and associated pricing.

Eldartford was kind enough to clarify later what he meant by his use of that word and it obviously was a misunderstanding.

I also misunderstood Eldartford's original choice of words in his first post and applaud TWL's willingness to go out on limb via his response to that poster.

Sure it was a misunderstanding this time. But all too many times there certainly are some to many on this web-site who believe simply because something has not worked for them, therefore, it cannot work for anybody else and will even resort to rediculing those who's experience has demonstrated otherwise.

For example, we've all heard of component and cable burn-in time periods where the sonics improve over a certain amount of hours. Some to many believe burn-in is real whereas others believe it's snake oil.

But who would believe there is also a mechanical burn-in or break-in period of time for certain products i.e. racks, points, etc.? I'm sure there are some people would just snicker at such a thought and then look to ridicule and belittle anybody who believes such a concept as this.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that it is this ridiculing attitude that TWL thought he was responding to.

-IMO

OK everyone...Question.... is there ANY idea that you would dismiss as being wrong without taking the time and trouble to try it out? (In other words "ridiculous" in your opinion).

What if I told you that Side 1 of an LP sounds better when played during odd hours of the clock, and side B during even hours?

To go back to my original comment...I completely agree that "a good solid support is important...) but I respectfully suggest that this is not hard to achieve, and should not cost much.

Many of my friends have some ridiculous ideas (who doesn't) but I still like them.

Stehno,

Im pretty sure he was responding to me, there was another thread about AV racks, i started this one because i thought my question would be a little too off the point of the other thread.
I think i offended TWL in the other thread, in fact, his response to me in the other thread was quite nasty.

Im not too concerned about it, as even though TWL decided to get all offended and take things personally, i still got a multitude of very well put together responses. Im still not too sure how much credit i will give a rack to the sound quality, but apparently there is some credit to be given, and its nice to understand the theory to how the rack affects the sound

Regardless my question was well answered. And i will continue to ask more questions because i know i can count on the people at the 'gon to give good answers

Yeah. i might be younger than alot of people here, and i might have only really been into the hobby for the past 6-7 years, and only financially able to play in it (ex military) for the past couple yearz, but im definatly not stupid. I will not let somebody else's crappy attitude deter me from learning more. :)

Anyways, Thank you for your responses as well Stehno, you sure seem to know alot about this stuff! :)